From RSC.org:

A plan by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to overhaul its inventory of industrial chemicals could lead to a lot more paperwork for chemical firms, industry officials have warned.

The Chemical Substances Inventory, established under the 1976 American Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), lists all chemicals manufactured in the US or imported into the country, along with safety data. But only around 7,000 of the 83,000 chemicals currently listed are actually still in use, according to the American Chemistry Council (ACC), a trade group representing North American chemical companies…

The inventory reset initiative is under the auspices of EPA’s Chemical Assessment and Management Program (ChAMP). Through the programme, the chemical industry will also be expected to provide health and safety information on inorganic high-production volume (HPV) chemicals - defined as substances with annual production or import volumes above 1 million pounds (454 metric tonnes).  The initiative will likely be voluntary, but the agency has warned that testing could be compulsory in the absence of ‘timely and responsible action’ by industry.

Click on the above link for more information.

A notice from the EPA on an upcoming public meeting:

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, EPA gives notice of a public meeting of the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC) Work Group on Comparative Safety Statements or Logos for Pesticide Product Labeling on September 10, 2008…

This action is directed to the public in general, and may be of particular interest to persons who work in agricultural settings or persons who are concerned about implementation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA); the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA); and the amendments to both of these major pesticide laws by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996…

The objective of the PPDC Work Group on Comparative Safety Statements or Logos for Pesticide Product Labeling is to address the interest being expressed by the public for possible development of Agency or third party endorsements/statements or logos on labels regarding comparative product safety. The work group will make recommendations to the full PPDC as to whether the government should pursue a policy and regulatory change in order to develop or allow these types of statements or logos…

Click on the above link for more information.

From Safety.BLR.com:

This year, the United Nations will be implementing the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)–a new global system that will standardize definitions, data sheets, classification of materials, and labeling around the world. U.S. agencies will be making decisions about adopting these requirements in the U.S.

While this is ultimately good news for all concerned, in the short term the implementation of the GHS will require changes in all American workplace hazard communication programs–including all new labels and safety data sheets…

Here is a timeline of OSHA regulatory activities regarding GHS…

• Goal for publishing the proposed rulemaking is October 2008.
• Final rule could be published 12 months to 18 months after that.
• Compliance is likely to be phased in over several years.

Click on the above link for more information.

Nexreg has more information on GHS at the following link:

• GHS Strategic Planning (English)

To speak to a Nexreg representative about how GHS will impact your company, please call or e-mail Nexreg at:

Nexreg Toll Free: 1-866-361-3032
E-mail:info@nexreg.com

From the EPA - National Emission Standards for Organic Hazardous Air Pollutants From the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry for Process Vents, Storage Vessels, Transfer Operations, and Wastewater; and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Miscellaneous Organic Chemical Manufacturing

On November 10, 2003, EPA promulgated national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for miscellaneous organic chemical manufacturing. The rule is referred to as the miscellaneous organic NESHAP or the MON. The MON incorporates by reference the wastewater tank requirements in the National Emission Standards for Organic Hazardous Air Pollutants From the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry for Process Vents, Storage Vessels, Transfer Operations, and Wastewater, which EPA promulgated on April 24, 1994, and which is referred to as the hazardous organic NESHAP or the HON. In this action EPA proposes to amend the HON, and thereby, the MON, by adding an equivalent means of emission limitation for wastewater tanks. This action also clarifies and corrects technical inconsistencies that have been discovered in the MON.

DATES: Comments. Comments must be received on or before September 22, 2008.

Click on the above link for the full details.

From the EPA:

EPA is proposing a test rule under section 4(a)(1)(B) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to require manufacturers, importers, and processors of certain high production volume (HPV) chemical substances to conduct testing to obtain screening level data for health and environmental effects and chemical fate. EPA has preliminarily determined that: Each of the 19 chemical substances included in this proposed rule is produced in substantial quantities and that there is or may be substantial human exposure to each of them; there are insufficient data to reasonably determine or predict the effects on health or the environment of the manufacture, distribution in commerce, processing, use, or disposal of the chemicals, or of any combination of these activities; and the testing program proposed here is necessary to develop such data. Data developed under this proposed rule will provide critical information about the environmental fate and potential hazards associated with these chemicals which, when combined with information about exposure and uses, will allow the Agency and others to evaluate potential health and environmental risks and to take appropriate follow-up action. Persons who export or intend to export any chemical substance included in the final rule would be subject to the export notification requirements in TSCA section 12(b)(1) and at 40 CFR part 707, subpart D. EPA has also taken steps, as described in this document, to consider animal welfare and to provide instructions on ways to reduce or in some cases eliminate animal testing, while at the same time ensuring that the public health is protected.

Click on the above link for more information.

The CAS Numbers of the 19 chemical substances are as follows:

• 75-07-0 : Acetaldehyde
• 78-11-5 : 1,3-Propanediol, 2,2- bis[(nitrooxy)methyl]- , dinitrate (ester)
• 84-65-1 : 9,10-Anthracenedione
• 89-32-7 : 1H,3H-Benzo[1,2-c:4,5- c’]difuran-1,3,5,7- tetrone
• 110-44-1 : 2,4-Hexadienoic acid, (E,E)-
• 118-82-1 : Phenol, 4,4′- methylenebis[2,6- bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-
• 119-61-9 : Methanone, diphenyl-
• 144-62-7 : Ethanedioic acid
• 149-44-0 : Methanesulfinic acid, hydroxy-, monosodium salt
• 2524-04-1 : Phosphorochloridothioic acid, O,O-diethyl ester
• 4719-04-4 : 1,3,5-Triazine- 1,3,5(2H,4H,6H)- triethanol
• 6381-77-7 : D-erythro-Hex-2-enonic acid, [gamma]-lactone, monosodium salt
• 31138-65-5 : D-gluco-Heptonic acid, monosodium salt, (2.xi.)-
• 66241-11-0 : C.I. Leuco Sulphur Black 1
• 68187-76-8 : Castor oil, sulfated, sodium salt
• 68187-84-8 : Castor oil, oxidized
• 68479-98-1 : Benzenediamine, ar,ar- diethyl-ar-methyl-
• 68527-02-6 : Alkenes, C12-24, chloro
• 68647-60-9 : Hydrocarbons, C > 4

A proposed rule from the EPA that covers “Consumer and Commercial Products: Control Techniques Guidelines in Lieu of Regulations for Miscellaneous Metal Products Coatings, Plastic Parts Coatings, Auto and Light-Duty Truck Assembly Coatings, Fiberglass Boat Manufacturing Materials, and Miscellaneous Industrial Adhesives”:

Pursuant to section 183(e)(3)(C) of the Clean Air Act, EPA proposes to determine that control techniques guidelines will be substantially as effective as national regulations in reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds in ozone national ambient air quality standard nonattainment areas from the following five product categories: Miscellaneous metal products coatings, plastic parts coatings, auto and light-duty truck assembly coatings, fiberglass boat manufacturing materials, and miscellaneous industrial adhesives. Based on this determination, we may issue control techniques guidelines in lieu of national regulations covering these product categories. We have prepared draft control techniques guidelines for the control of volatile organic compound emissions from each of the product categories covered by this proposed determination. Once finalized, these control techniques guidelines will provide guidance to the States concerning EPA’s recommendations for reasonably available control technology-level controls for these product categories. We further propose to take final action to list the five Group IV consumer and commercial product categories addressed in this notice pursuant to Clean Air Act section 183(e).

DATES: Comments: Written comments on this proposed action must be received by August 13, 2008, unless a public hearing is requested by July 24, 2008.

For more information, click on the above link.

A release from the EPA:

EPA is launching a broad effort to gain a greater scientific understanding of the potential health risks of formaldehyde’s use in pressed wood products. Through this process, EPA will develop risk assessments on potential adverse health effects, evaluate the costs and benefits of possible control technologies and approaches, and determine whether EPA action is needed to address any identified risks. The Agency plans to issue an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) in fall 2008.

The Agency is pursing this course of action following review of a TSCA Section 21 citizens’ petition… which requested that EPA adopt nationally a recently enacted California regulation to control formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products and to extend the rule to include composite wood products in manufactured homes.

Click on the above link for the full release.

A notice of availability from the EPA - Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Listing of Substitutes for Ozone-Depleting Substances–n-Propyl Bromide in Adhesives, Coatings, and Aerosols:

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making available to the public information related to a May 30, 2007 proposed rule under the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program under section 612 of the Clean Air Act. The SNAP program reviews alternatives to Class I and Class II ozone-depleting substances and finds acceptable the use of alternatives that reduce the overall risk to public health and the environment. EPA proposed to list n-propyl bromide (nPB) as unacceptable for use as a substitute for chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-113, methyl chloroform, and hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)-141b in the adhesive and aerosol solvent end uses; and acceptable subject to use conditions (limited to coatings at facilities that, as of May 30, 2007, had provided EPA with information demonstrating their ability to maintain acceptable workplace exposures) as a substitute for methyl chloroform, CFC-113, and HCFC-141b in the coatings end use. The Agency has received additional information regarding the exposure levels of n-propyl bromide found in the workplace due to use of aerosols containing n-propyl bromide, as well as information on industry practices from aerosol suppliers and from a survey of a significant number of end users. The Agency is requesting comment on these materials. We plan to consider this information, and any comments received during the comment
period on this notice of data availability, in determining what future action to take on our May 2007 proposal regarding the use of n-propyl bromide in aerosols.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 22, 2008.

For more information, click on the above link.

A recent release from the EPA:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today fined Fresno-based property owner, Ralph Hovannisian, $16,000 for violating federal lead-based paint disclosure requirements at eight rental properties in Fresno, Calif.

“The EPA has a responsibility to ensure renters and buyers receive adequate information to protect children from potential lead-based paint hazards,” said Enrique Manzanilla, director of the EPA’s Communities and Ecosystems Division for the Pacific Southwest Region. “This enforcement action is an example of the EPA’s commitment to regulating and enforcing toxic substances to protect public health — especially children, from potential lead-based paint hazards.”

Residential property owner and manager Ralph Hovannisian did not provide federally-required lead warning statements to his tenants. He also failed to disclose information or reports on lead-based paint or lead hazards at these locations prior to tenants signing lease agreements. The tenants didn’t receive an EPA-approved lead information pamphlet, a statement of knowledge about lead-based paint in the units, or an identification of any records available regarding lead-based paint in the units. These failures resulted in multiple violations of the federally regulated Toxic Substances Control Act.

Click on the above link for more information.

From the EPA:

Pesticide Management and Disposal; Standards for Pesticide Containers and Containment: Proposed Amendments

SUMMARY: EPA is proposing to amend the container and containment regulations to provide a 1-year extension of the labeling compliance date from August 17, 2009 to August 17, 2010; to change the phrase “sold or distributed'’ to “released for shipment'’ as associated with all of the compliance dates; to provide for exceptions to the language requirements for some specific nonrefillable packages; to allow for waivers of certain label requirements for other refillable and nonrefillable containers on a case-by-case basis; and to correct typographical and other minor errors. In addition, the Agency is proposing to amend the definitions in 40 CFR part 152 to establish a definition of “released for shipment.'’ These changes are being proposed to address concerns raised by stakeholders and as a result of further Agency consideration.

Click on the above link for the full detials.